Graduate Student Program Advising Manual

Master of Science in Health Services Administration

Welcome to The Sage Colleges School of Management, Graduate Program Manual. This manual is intended to help you learn about the requirements to successfully complete the Master of Science in Health Services Administration program. It provides information about the structure of the programs along with specific course information. This manual also provides information regarding the libraries, Sage Advisor, the grievance process, and student services.

If you have any questions about the information contained in this manual, you should contact your advisor, Dr. Kimberly Fredericks, Dean of the School of Management, at (518) 292-1782 or by email at fredek1@sage.edu or Dr. Dayna Maniccia, Program Director at (518) 292-1801 or by email at manicd@sage.edu.

School of Management Overview

The School of Management at The Sage Colleges strives to educate undergraduate and graduate students to be confident, ethical leaders equipped to effectively manage the challenges of a changing world.

In close collaboration with the faculty, our students develop skills in communication, critical thinking, creativity, innovative problem solving and entrepreneurship: Skills sought by premier institutions and employers throughout the world.

Our Vision:

To be, know, and do MORE as leaders solving the management challenges of today and creating opportunities for tomorrow.

More… is a condition, a state that drives continuous improvement and a pursuit of excellence. The Sage School of Management envisions a world where more means better—better learning, management, and organizations; where more means leadership—using a broad liberal arts education to help diagnose and solve problems; where more means learning—learning from caring faculty and engaged colleagues, and through successes and failures. We are more.

Our Mission:

To cultivate, inspire, and transform our students in a nurturing, yet challenging, educational environment to become the managers and leaders organizations need right now.

Our mix of flexible degree programs, innovative classroom approaches, and supportive faculty provides students of diverse backgrounds with an atmosphere to learn, grow, and build confidence to excel. We work to provide students with practical knowledge, tools, and skills to help them make a positive impact on the organizations they work for and in their communities—preparing our students for a life of leadership and success

The professional Master of Business Administration program at Sage Graduate Schools is designed to develop leaders who can manage complex organizations and who have the desire and capacity to move into high level positions.

The M.B.A. degree is offered at the graduate-level School of Management, with classes available at Sage College of Albany, our satellite campus in Saratoga, and online.

ENTRANCE TO THE PROGRAM We offer flexible scheduling, with evening, weekend, summer, and online courses so even the busiest student can complete their degree within two years. The required courses for the Master’s of Health Services Administration are located within this Program Manual. It is encouraged to contact your advisor as early as possible to begin to plan your program. To apply visit https://www.sage.edu/admission/apply-now and select “APPLY NOW!” with the Sage Application.

STUDENT ADVISEMENT SERVICES

Dayna M. Maniccia, DrPH, MS, Program Director, Health Services Administration Coordinator, Undergraduate Public Health, located in the Administration Building, Suite 220. She can be reached at 518-292-1801 or by email at manicd@sage.edu.

Dean, Dr. Kimberly Fredericks’ office is located in Administration, Suite 210, Room 208. She can be reached at (518) 292-1782 or by email at fredek1@sage.edu.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MY SAGE PORTAL My Sage Portal is our internet based service securely supplying real time information and online functionality to our students, faculty, and employees. These online services traditionally were only provided by visiting the campus in person (like registration).

My Sage Portal provides the following secure online functions and information: • View class schedule• View statement of Account/Financial Aid Information• View Course Offerings• Search/Register for Courses• View your Profile• View Grades• View Grade Point Average by Term• View your Transcript• Manage your Waitlisted Courses

My Sage Portal can easily be accessed through MYPORTAL.SAGE.EDU. Once you log-in, you will see a tab near the top of your MySagePortal window entitled: Sage Advisor. Simply select the tab and use the menu bars that appear on the left side to navigate through Sage Advisor.

If you require any assistance or have any questions, please contact our Helpdesk at (518) 244-4777.

SAGE LIBRARIES

The Sage Colleges Libraries serve Russell Sage College, the Sage College of Albany, Sage Graduate School and Professional & Continuing Education. The libraries are open to the public, however certain resources are restricted to the Sage community. Access to electronic resources is available in the libraries at workstations and via internet from remote locations by Sage users. Direct loan of library materials is limited to Sage-affiliated students, faculty, administrators, staff, retirees or alumni of The Sage Colleges and to holders of valid library cards issued through the Capital District Library Council Direct Access Program (See your library for details.) An Interlibrary Loan service is also available if a Sage user needs something that we do not have in our collection.

The materials in each library support the programs and majors primarily located on that campus. The two libraries' combined holdings include over 200,000 volumes of books, nearly 500 print periodical subscriptions (with nearly 60,000 volumes of bound periodicals) and over 30,000 media items. The library website provides access to over 50,000 e-journals and over 10,000 e-books.

Visit the Sage library’s website for additional information: https://library.sage.edu/

GRADUATION The Sage Colleges confers degrees three times each year: in August, December and May. However, a Commencement ceremony is held only in May. Students become candidates for graduation upon filing a completed Graduation Application with the filing fee and submitting it to the Office of Student Services. Students must be in good academic standing with the School of Management, maintaining a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, at the time the application is due.

Be sure to note the application deadlines for graduation: Graduate in: Application due by:

May February 15

August June 1

December October 1

Graduate students 6 credits or less remaining in their degree program may participate in commencement without having all degree requirements completed. Students, who participate in the May commencement ceremony before completing their degree requirements, must apply to officially graduate and pay the diploma fee when their degree requirements are complete.

STUDENT SERVICES

Student Services at Sage is exactly that: a full-service resource for our students. Our student relations specialists provide answers and guidance for questions and issues relating to financial aid, registration for classes, accessing your academic record, and managing your student account. The Registrar’s Office is responsible for all matters pertaining to students' academic records and registration for classes at The Sage Colleges, including setting the academic calendar each year. They have all the forms you will need, for example: student registration form, registration change (add/drop), and Graduate Independent Study form.

Student Services is located on the first floor of the Administration building. For more information regarding Student Services, visit http://www.sage.edu/resources/student_services/ or call 518-292-1781.

FINANCIAL AID Financial Aid is located on the first floor of the Administration building. For more information regarding Financial Aid, visit http://www.sage.edu/resources/student_services/financial_aid/ or call 518-292-1781.

Please note that students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to maintain financial aid eligibility. This means that a student must maintain a GPA at or above a 3.0 and have at least a 50% completion rate in coursework. Please see the link below for more details. https://www.sage.edu/admission/financial-aid/federal-state-aid/graduate-satisfactory-academic-progress-policy/

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP Assistantships provide tuition waivers and a stipend for working in an academic or administrative office, assisting faculty in research, or, in limited instances, teaching undergraduate classes. For each six-credit tuition waiver plus $2000 stipend, a student works 300 hours over the Fall and Spring semesters or teaches two three-credit course equivalents. Students enrolled for nine or more hours may receive two graduate assistantships per year. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of financial need and academic ability. An assistantship award means that the student is eligible to apply for the open assistantship positions posted on the Sage Graduate School website (http://www.sage.edu/costaid/tuition/sgs/assistantships/ga_jobs/).

Job descriptions allow students to match their skills and experience to the openings available. These may be in academic departments or administrative offices; selection is made by the individual supervising the graduate assistant.

To be eligible for an assistantship:

• Follow the financial aid application procedures, including submission of the FAFSAafter January 1.

• Students must also complete an Application for Graduate Assistantship formavailable on-line from the Sage Graduate School web page.

• Preference will be given to students who complete this process prior to April 1 ofthe year preceding the assistantship award.

• Upon receipt of FAFSA information, which identifies the level of federal and state aidfor which the student is eligible, the Office of Financial Aid Services determineswhether or not the student is also eligible for a graduate assistantship and providesthat information to the Coordinator of Graduate Assistantships.

For more information regarding Graduate Assistantship, visit https://www.sage.edu/admission/accepted-students/accepted-graduate-students/graduate-assistantships/ or email at gaships@sage.edu

GRIEVANCE PROCESS Students who wish to request reconsideration of academic decisions made with regard to their progress and performance in the academic program may appeal to the Academic Standards Subcommittee of the Sage Graduate Schools Curriculum Committee. Students who wish to appeal to the Academic Standards Subcommittee must write to the Dean of Sage Graduate Schools, explaining the nature and rationale for the request. The student’s program director and the dean each make a recommendation to the Academic Standards Subcommittee, which then makes a determination regarding the student’s request. The Dean of Sage Graduate Schools communicates the determination to the student.

The Sage Graduate Schools Grievance Appeals Panel reviews student grievances which have been acted upon by the Academic Standards Committee of the SGS Curriculum Committee. The Grievance Appeals Panel will consider student grievances concerning academic matters including:

• the degree process such as grading, evaluation, or status;• allegedly unprofessional conduct toward students;• allegedly unfair or discriminatory treatment of students;• allegedly unfair disciplinary actions.

The request for an appeal must be made in writing to the Dean of Sage Graduate Schools, within 30 days of the students’ receipt of the determination of the Academic Standards Subcommittee. The letter requesting an appeal must state the basis of the grievance and the facts that support it. It should include a summary of steps already taken (or why steps were omitted). The student/appellant must state why the resolution is unfair or unsatisfactory. The student must state what the desired remedy is. The Dean will transmit the appeal to the Sage Graduate Schools Curriculum Committee (SGSCC) Chairperson to determine whether or not the appeal will be accepted for review. If the appeal involves a student from the program in which the Chair of the SGSCC serves, the Chair will designate a

member of the SGSCC who is not affiliated with the appellants program to determine whether or not the appeal will be accepted for review. If an appeal is accepted for review, a Grievance Appeals Panel will be formed to hear the case within 20 business days of receipt of the student’s request.

THE FACULTY

Kimberly A. Fredericks, Ph.D., M.P.A., R.D. Dean, School of Management, Associate Professor, Management

Eileen V. Brownell, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Management, Internship Director

Kevin Fletcher, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Management

Robert Manasier, Entrepreneur -In- Residence

Dayna Maniccia, Dr. P.H., M.S. Assistant Professor, Health Services Administration and Coordinator Public Health Graduate Program Director of Management

Scott Seyrek, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Management

Gerald Shaye, Executive -In- Residence

MaryEllen Tedesco, M.S., MBA/ OM Online Program Director, Adjunct Professor, Management

Huimin Xu, Ph.D. Assocaite Professor, MarketingChair of the Management Department and Undergraduate Program Director

Ceren Yoruk, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Economics

For more information regarding our Faculty (including contact information and hours) please visit http://www.sage.edu/academics/faculty/management/

College Policy Statements

THE SPIRIT OF LEARNING: STATEMENT ON APPROPRIATE CONDUCT ON CAMPUS

All members of The Sage Colleges community are expected to conduct themselves in a way which respects the learning environment. Thus, Sage has the right to remove any student from a classroom, other academic area, or program at any time if the student’s behavior is contrary to the spirit of learning or hinders the operation of the program in any way. Violent, disruptive, harassing or intimidating behavior is not tolerated in the classroom or any other place on campus. Any student whose conduct disrupts a class or other learning environment may be required to leave the premises immediately and subjected to disciplinary and/or legal action.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

The Sage Colleges is committed to providing equal access and responding to the needs of students with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. A student seeking academic adjustments under the Americans with Disabilities Act must register and provide documentation to the Director of Disabilities Services. Any student in need of classroom assistance or modification under the Americans with Disabilities Act must inform the instructor of the needed adjustment by first obtaining the necessary accommodation letters from the Director of Disabilities Services in order for reasonable accommodations to be provided. It is recommended that students do so at the onset of classes as reasonable prior notice needs to be given. The Director of Disabilities Services can be contacted in Troy at 65 First Street Troy NY 12180 (518) 244-6874 or in Albany at 140 New Scotland Avenue, Albany NY 12208 (518) 292-8624.

POLICY ON ACADEMIC HONESTY

Academic dishonesty in any of its forms, including cheating, plagiarism, misuse of SageNet, and failure to comply with guidelines for the conduct of human research, will not be tolerated at The Sage Colleges. A full statement of the policy on Academic Honesty can be found as an appendix to the Student Conduct Code on The Sage Colleges web site. A hard copy can be requested from the Dean of Students in Albany Kahl Campus Center 145 (518) 292-1753 or in Troy McKinstry Student Center 244-2207.

For guidance in proper referencing of sources, as well as how to avoid plagiarism, consult the most recent editions of the following works, which are available in the reference section of the libraries on the Troy and Albany campus.

Joseph Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, New York, Modern Language Association.

Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Chicago, University of Chicago Press. http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocChicago.html

American Psychological Association. Publication Manual for the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., American Psychological Association. http://apastyle.apa.org/

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE

The Sage Colleges recognize the value of participation in and observance of religious obligations and practices by individual students. No student will be penalized because a religious observance prevents participation in any course requirement. An opportunity will be provided for each student to make any requirement missed for an absence due to religious observance. A student who intends to be absent from classes for a religious observance must notify each instructor in advance and make arrangements to cover missed course materials and to complete the course requirement(s) missed. The College reserves the right to confirm the existence of the observance through an interfaith calendar.

E-Mail policy for The Sage Colleges

Sage considers Sage Gmail (username@sage.edu) the exclusive vehicle for official college e-mail communication. As such, username@sage.edu will be considered the official e-mail address for writing and forwarding electronic correspondence. All users are expected to regularly check their Sage e-mail account (on Gmail) and to acknowledge messages in a timely manner. In addition to general College notices, faculty members frequently use the College's e-mail system to notify and correspond with members of their classes. It is recommended that students frequently access their College assigned e-mail account for information. Any electronic business conducted with the College must be done via a sage.edu account.

Credit Hour Policy at Sage

All courses offered at The Sage Colleges—graduate, undergraduate, and professional—comply with definition of the credit hour and the policies established by the New York State Commissioner of Education and the US Department of Education regardless of delivery modality. A contact hour is described as the interaction between faculty and students via lecture, discussion, research, project/problem, debate, etc. For lecture class formats, one credit requires a minimum of 12.5 faculty contact hours (750 minutes) and a minimum of 30 hours of out-of-class student work over the course of a 15 week semester. For example, a three-credit course is thus equal to a minimum of 37.5 faculty contact hours (2,250 minutes) with the expectation of a minimum of 90 hours of student out-of-class.

Grievance Process In the event that a student has a complaint involving a faculty member or wishes to question a grade, the student should follow the procedures listed below:

• Meet with the instructor involved. In the best interests of both parties, resolutionideally should be reached at this stage.

• If resolution is not reached between the student and instructor, the student shouldmake an appointment to meet with the instructor’s department chairperson orprogram coordinator.

• Meet with the Dean of the College, only in the event that the student feelsprocedures were not followed.

• The Provost is the final decision-making authority.

Procedures for Grievances Alleging Discrimination Based on Disability Any member of The Sage Colleges community, including faculty, administrators, staff, and students, who has any grievance in relation to the law or any acts prohibited by the law may file a written complaint within 30 working days of the occurrence of the alleged action. The complaint should be filed with the Director of Disabilities Services as the person designated to coordinate the efforts of the college to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under the law. The written complaint should explain who was discriminated against in what way by whom, when the discrimination took place who can be contacted for further information The name, address, and telephone number of the complainant and as much background information as possible about the alleged discriminatory act. These are suggestions, not requirements. Within five working days, the Director of Disabilities Services shall acknowledge receipt of the complaint and assign an individual to investigate the complaint. The individual investigating the complaint shall submit a written report to the Director with a copy to the complaint within 10 working days from the date assigned. The complainant shall have 10 working days from receipt of the investigation report to contact the Director to support or refute information contained in the investigation report.

Health Services Administration

The health services industry is now the third largest employer in the nation. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the professional field of health services administration will be ranked among the top 10 occupations by percentage increase in employment in the 21st century. Both nationally and regionally there are numerous opportunities for health service administrators in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, health maintenance organizations, home care agencies, hospital associations, health insurance companies, managed care companies and governmental health planning and regulatory agencies. Sage's Master of Science in Health Services Administration (MSHSA) has been designed to prepare health services managers to meet the diverse needs of this rapidly expanding field.

The multi-disciplinary design of the program reflects the faculty's conviction that health managers must be prepared for widely varying roles. The program at Sage prepares students in Health Services Administration to assume general responsibilities that span a number of departments in an agency and an opportunity to gain expertise in more specific responsibilities. It is well understood that our graduates will take on a variety of roles in health services organizations, some purely administrative and some that combine administration and clinical practice.

The core courses of the program offer the in-service health administrator or the student learning to be one, a comprehensive set of managerial and analytical skills, which will improve problem solving, human relations and program planning, and analysis capabilities.

THE SAGE COLLEGES SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT Master's in Health Services Administration

Name: Address: Work Phone:

Home Phone: Accepted: Regular Provisional Probational Provisions/Contingencies:

Program Summary (Research Option)

Core Courses (9 courses) Credits Completed

HSA 553 Health Systems and Policy 3 HSA 555 Healthcare Strategy 3 HSA 557 Legal Aspects of Health Administration 3 HSA 558 Budgeting for Government, Nonprofit, and Health Organizations 3 HSA 565 Health Finance 3 HSA 572 Program Analysis, Planning, and Evaluation 3 HSA 578 Analytic Methods 3 MBA 671/PAD 573 Management Information Systems 3 HSA 605 Comparative Health Systems 3

Research Option – Core Courses and 6 credits HSA 577 or HSA 587 Internship or Externship (Externship currently is called the Practicum)

3

HSA 596 Seminar in Health Administration 3 (33 credit option includes 9 core courses and the required internship or externship and the capstone research project)

Non-Research Option – Core Courses and 12 credits MBA 685 Quality Management 3 HSA 520 Marketing in Health Care 3 HSA 5XX Elective - Advisor Approved Elective 3 HSA 577 or HSA 587 Internship/Externship (Externship currently called the Practicum)

3

(In the 39 credit option HSA 577 or HSA 587 become the capstone experience)

Students Signature: Date: Advisor Signature: Dayna Maniccia Phone: 518-292-1801 Date: Director Signature: Dayna Maniccia Phone: 518-292-1801 Date:

Advisor Contact Information: Dayna Maniccia, PhD, Assistant Professor, Director HSA manicd@sage.edu, 518-292-1801